Apple Silicon Macs and Plugable Products

M1/M2, M1/M2 Pro, and M1/M2 Pro chips

Welcome to the ultimate resource for Apple users seeking multi display docking solutions and more for their M1 and M2 Macs. At Plugable, we understand the power of Apple Silicon, and we've developed cutting-edge docking stations, graphics adapters, hubs and chargers that pair powerfully with base M1 and M2 models. Discover how you can maximize your productivity with Plugable devices and create a versatile workstation for your Mac.

With DisplayLink, you can now connect multiple monitors through a single USB-C port, empowering you to create an expansive desktop-like workstation. Whether you own a 13", or 15" MacBook Air or MacBook Pro from various years, you're in the right place to learn how to elevate your Mac experience.

Embrace the possibilities that DisplayLink brings to your Apple Silicon Mac. Expand your horizons and boost your productivity effortlessly with this innovative solution. Let your creativity and efficiency shine on your Mac as you seamlessly connect and work with multiple displays.

So what products do you need to enable one or more displays on an M1 or M2 Macs?

Triple Display USB-C Docking Stations

Plugable offers a variety of USB-C triple display dock options for driving up to three external monitors on your M1 or M2 Mac.

  • Plugable USB-C Triple 4K HDMI and DisplayPort Display Horizontal Docking Station (UD-6950PDZ)
  • Plugable USB-C Triple Display Horizontal Docking Station (UD-3900PDZ)

View how they compare against each other in the table below:

Dock Model
UD-6950PDZ UD-3900PDZ
Buy Options
Laptop Connection
1x USB-C 1x USB-C
Video Connections
1x HDMI 4K; DisplayPort++
2x HDMI 4K; DisplayPort++
2x HDMI
1x HDMI
# of Displays
3 3
Max Resolution
1x 3840x2160 @ 30Hz
2x 3840x2160 @ 60Hz
2x 2048x1152 @ 60Hz
1x 3840x2160 @ 30Hz
# of USB Ports
2x USB-A (Front)⁠—USB 3.0 (5Gbps)
4x USB-A (Rear)⁠—USB 3.0 (5Gbps)
2x USB-A (Front)⁠—USB 3.0 (5Gbps)
4x USB-A (Rear)⁠—USB 3.0 (5Gbps)
Laptop Charging
60.0W 60.0W
Ethernet
DisplayLink Gigabit Ethernet DisplayLink Gigabit Ethernet
Audio
Headset Jack
Bi-Directional
Headset Jack
Bi-Directional

Looking for more options?

Try our Plugable Dock Finder tool to find a product that fits your needs!

Find your dock with the Docking Stations Finder tool

Software and Drivers

Plugable docking stations enable multiple monitors on Mac computers through the use DisplayLink USB graphics, which requires the installation of a DisplayLink Manager App. Additional details and instructions for this app installation is available on our knowledge base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Plugable docks that use DisplayLink USB video technology allow for additional monitors on M1/M2 Macs because they make use of an app to convert video data over USB. Please make sure to install the required DisplayLink Manager Application in order to use the dock.

DisplayLink allows you to connect multiple monitors over a standard USB data connection. To do this, DisplayLink makes use of software installed on your Mac (DisplayLink Manager App) to communicate with the DisplayLink graphics controller built into the dock or graphics adapter.

From there, DisplayLink leverages Apple's SoC (CPU/GPU) on the Mac to detect changes in screen content to re-encode external image content in realtime. With this implementation, only changing pixels need to be managed, which reduces the total bandwidth required to send pixels to the display.

DisplayLink USB graphics is great for general office applications, web browser windows, or productivity tasks. However, we don't recommend it for more graphics intensive purposes like gaming, full-screen video editing and streaming, or other heavy GPU/CPU loads due to the potential for increased latency/lag as a result of the software overhead.

Dual Display USB-C Graphics Adapters

Plugable also offers dual display connectivity options for M1 and M2 Macs in a graphics adapter form factor.

  • Plugable USB-C and USB 3.0 4K DisplayPort and HDMI Adapter (USBC-6950UE)

Buy the Plugable USB 3.0 and USB-C 4K DisplayPort and HDMI Dual Monitor Adapter with Ethernet

Single Display USB-C Hubs

For adding a single display to your M1 or M2 Mac, Plugable's USB-C multifunction hubs are a cost-effective yet powerful accessory to increase your productivity.

  • Plugable USB-C 5-in-1 Hub Designed For Apple MagSafe (AMS-5IN1E)
  • Plugable USB-C 4-in-1 Hub (USBC-4IN1)
  • Plugable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub (USBC-7IN1)
  • Plugable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub with Ethernet (USBC-7IN1E)

View how they compare against each other in the table below:

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a426dce4fbbc5c2b55a82d80ad54a89b
Buy Options
Laptop Compatibility
2x USB4/Thunderbolt
USB4, Thunderbolt, USB-C
USB4, Thunderbolt, USB-C
USB4, Thunderbolt, USB-C
Total Port Count
5
4
7
7
Number of USB Ports
2
2
3
2
USB-C Charging
Up to 100W
Up to 100W
Up to 87W
Up to 87W
USB-C Data Rates
40Gbps
10Gbps
X
X
Video Output
USB-C (6K 60Hz)
HDMI 2.0 (4K 60Hz) w/ HDR
HDMI 1.4 (4K 30Hz)
HDMI 2.0 (4K 60Hz)
SD/microSD Card Reader
X
X
Ethernet Port
X
X

USB4/Thunderbolt Hubs

To expand upon the USB4/Thunderbolt ports built onto your Mac, Plugable offers a hub solution to expand the number of USB-C ports, plus more.

  • Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub (USB4-HUB3A)

Buy the Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub

USB-C Chargers

For keeping your Mac's battery charged, along with any other of your USB-C devices, Plugable offers a 140W USB-C power adapter.

Buy the Plugable 140W USB-C GaN Power Adapter

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